Jonathan Kearsley
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Kearsley was an American military officer and politician. He fought in the War of 1812
and was a two-time mayor of Detroit.
on August 20, 1786, and graduated from Washington College in Washington, Pennsylvania
(now Washington & Jefferson College
) in 1811. He was one of the founders of the Union Literary Society at Washington College
. He joined the Army
the following year as a First Lieutenant in the Second Artillery Corps
, eventually reaching the rank of Major. He fought in several battles during the War of 1812
, including the Battle of Stoney Creek
, Battle of Crysler's Farm
, and the Battle of Chippawa
(following the Capture of Fort Erie
). In the latter battle, he was wounded, and one of his legs was amputated
. The operation was performed incorrectly and he suffered pain for the rest of his life from it.
In 1815, Kearsley married Margaret Hetich. The couple had three children: Edmund Roberts (1816), Rebekah H (1817), and Martha I. (1819); Margaret died in 1821. He later married Rachel Valentine.
He served as mayor of Detroit two separate times, first appointed by the council to fill the term of Henry Jackson Hunt
in 1826, and then being elected in 1829. He also served on the Board of Trustees
of the University of Michigan
from 1827 to 1837, and again on its re-organized Board of Regents from 1838 until 1852.
He died in 1859 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Kearsley
Community School District is named after him.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and was a two-time mayor of Detroit.
Early life
Jonathan Kearsley was born in Middletown, PennsylvaniaMiddletown, Pennsylvania
Middletown is the name of more than one location in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania: 17057, of the Harrisburg metropolitan area*Middletown, Northampton County, Pennsylvania: 18017...
on August 20, 1786, and graduated from Washington College in Washington, Pennsylvania
Washington, Pennsylvania
Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh Metro Area in the southwestern part of the state...
(now Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
) in 1811. He was one of the founders of the Union Literary Society at Washington College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
. He joined the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
the following year as a First Lieutenant in the Second Artillery Corps
Second Artillery Corps
The Second Artillery Corps is the strategic missile forces of the People's Republic of China. The SAC is the component of the People's Liberation Army that controls China's nuclear ballistic and conventional missiles. China's total nuclear arsenal size is estimated to be about 240 nuclear weapons...
, eventually reaching the rank of Major. He fought in several battles during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, including the Battle of Stoney Creek
Battle of Stoney Creek
The Battle of Stoney Creek was fought on 6 June 1813 during the War of 1812 near present day Stoney Creek, Ontario. British units made a night attack on an American encampment...
, Battle of Crysler's Farm
Battle of Crysler's Farm
The Battle of Crysler's Farm, also known as the Battle of Crysler's Field, was fought on 11 November 1813, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. A British and Canadian force won a victory over an American force which greatly outnumbered them...
, and the Battle of Chippawa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
(following the Capture of Fort Erie
Capture of Fort Erie
The Capture of Fort Erie by American forces in 1814 was an incident in the War of 1812 between the United Kingdom and the United States. The British garrison was outnumbered but surrendered prematurely, in the view of British commanders.-Background:...
). In the latter battle, he was wounded, and one of his legs was amputated
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
. The operation was performed incorrectly and he suffered pain for the rest of his life from it.
In 1815, Kearsley married Margaret Hetich. The couple had three children: Edmund Roberts (1816), Rebekah H (1817), and Martha I. (1819); Margaret died in 1821. He later married Rachel Valentine.
Life in Detroit
He held the office of Collector of Revenue Taxes in Virginia from 1817 until 1819, when he moved to Detroit and was appointed Receiver of Public Monies, a title which he held for thirty years. He lived on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street in Detroit.He served as mayor of Detroit two separate times, first appointed by the council to fill the term of Henry Jackson Hunt
Henry Jackson Hunt (Mayor of Detroit)
Henry Jackson Hunt was a politician and businessman from Detroit, Michigan.Henry Jackson Hunt was born in New York, the first son of American Revolutionary War colonel Thomas Hunt. He arrived in Detroit around 1800 and went into the mercantile and real estate business, in some cases in...
in 1826, and then being elected in 1829. He also served on the Board of Trustees
Board of Regents of the University of Michigan
The Board of Regents of the University of Michigan is the legal corporation that controls the University of Michigan, comprising the campuses at Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn. The Board of Regents was created by the Organic Act of March 18, 1837 that established the modern University of Michigan...
of the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1827 to 1837, and again on its re-organized Board of Regents from 1838 until 1852.
He died in 1859 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Kearsley
Kearsley Community Schools
-Alumni:Mark Farner of Grand Funk RailroadWillie Todd running back for Central Michigan University-External links:*...
Community School District is named after him.